Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Greece to the United States

Greece and the US share a strong history of trade ties, encompassing a broad range of industries from agriculture to technology and energy to tourism. The nations have bonded through shared challenges and opportunities in the 21st century, creating a partnership that fuels innovation and drives mutual growth.

In 2022, Greece exported $2.4 billion worth of goods to the US, with refined petroleum accounting for the top exported product at $499 million. Processed vegetables ($255 million) and cement ($152 million) were also top commodities. 

If you need to ship goods from Greece to the US, here’s your complete guide to the process. 

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Greece to the United States?

There are two ways to ship freight from Greece to the US. These are ocean and air freight. 

Ocean Freight From Greece to the United States

Ocean freight is the most common shipping option because of its affordability and flexibility. It’s so versatile that it can accommodate any type of cargo and even offers shippers two options for container shipping, including less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

LCL is used by shippers of small cargo. Their goods will be consolidated with shipments belonging to other sellers and shipped together in one container. Each shipper will only have to pay for the space their cargo occupies, making it a highly economical choice. 

FCL is for larger, heavy-weight shipments. The shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone, giving them more space, control, and security for their cargo. Although more expensive than LCL, FCL makes up for it with its quicker transit times. 

Air Freight from Greece to the United States

Air freight is another way to ship goods from Greece to the US. As the fastest mode of international shipping, it’s preferred by shippers who need to ship cargo quickly, such as when transporting time-sensitive and perishable goods. 

High-value goods shippers will also like air freight for its security. Since airports have stricter regulations and processes, the safety of goods during transit is much better guaranteed. 

Air freight, however, has its drawbacks. The first is the cost, with prices significantly higher than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible and cannot accommodate cargo of all types, sizes, weights, and volumes. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Greece to the United States?

The cost to ship goods from Greece to the US will depend on a couple of factors, such as: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

Determine your shipping costs by using our online freight costs calculator. The table below shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Greece to the US:

How long does it take to ship cargo from Greece to the United States?

The transit time for goods shipped from Greece to the US depends mainly on your selected international shipping mode. Additional factors influencing the transit time are:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• Direct or indirect shipment route
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from Greece to the United States?

Ocean freight from Greece to the US will take 15 to 50 days.

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from Greece to the United States?

Air freight is a much faster way to transport goods from Greece to the US, only taking 2 to 8 days.

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in Greece and the United States

When your goods arrive in the US, they will be subject to the customs clearance process. For this, you will need to prepare the following documents: 

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

For examples of these customs clearance requirements, refer to our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Choosing between ocean freight and air freight should be done with your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements in mind. Here are some tips to help you decide which to go for. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is right for you if you’re either shipping on a budget or transporting cargo with unique requirements. Transporting goods by sea doesn’t cost much, and you can enjoy the flexibility of shipping any cargo type. 

If you opt for ocean freight, you must choose between LCL and FCL wisely. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is great for cargo that is: 

• Small in size and quantity 
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

FCL is more suitable for cargo that is: 

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

Air freight is the fastest way to ship goods worldwide, making it ideal for time-sensitive and perishable cargo or if you simply want your goods to arrive in the US fast. It’s also the most secure, making it highly suitable for high-value shipments. 

However, note that air freight is the most expensive mode of international transport, so crunch your budget accordingly. You should also check if air freight can accommodate your cargo's type, size, weight, and volume, as it’s not as flexible as ocean freight.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Greece

Piraeus Port

The Piraeus Port is Athens's primary seaport. It handles a wide variety of cargo types, with the main exports being cotton, fruit, and cement. It receives over 5.4 million TEUs per year and is considered Greece’s largest port. 

Port of Thessaloniki

The Port of Thessaloniki is located in northern Greece, near the main Trans-European motorway and railway networks. It’s among the Eastern Mediterranean’s largest seaports and the second-largest container port in Greece. The port handles 460,000 TEUs or more per year.

Port of Aspropyrgos

The Port of Aspropyrgos has Greece's largest capacity for handling crude oil and products. It boasts three piers, including the LPG pier, the new pier, and the old pier. The port’s south jetty handles over 3 million tonnes of cargo annually, while the north jetty handles 2.9 million tonnes.

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Savannah 

The Port of Savannah is located in the US state of Georgia. It’s the fourth-busiest port in the nation and houses the largest container terminal in the Western Hemisphere. It’s a good option for the shipment of vehicles. 

Port of Seattle

The Port of Seattle is the fifth-busiest seaport in the US and the second-busiest port on the West Coast. It’s an important hub for large shipments, including vehicles. 

Port of Houston 

The Port of Houston is the fastest-developing American port. It’s located in the US state of Texas. It ranks 7th in the nation in terms of total amount of cargo, handling up to 70% of container traffic in the Gulf Coast per year. 

Air Freight from Greece to the United States: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Greece

Athens International Airport

The Athens International Airport is the largest international airport in Greece. It serves the city of Athens and the region of Attica. It’s the main base of Aegean Airlines and serves as a hub for Aegean Airlines, Volotea, Olympic Air, Olympic Airlines, and more. The airport sees over 241,000 aircraft movements per year. 

Thessaloniki Airport 

Thessaloniki Airport, formerly the Mikra Airport, is an international airport serving Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city. It sees over 54,000 aircraft movements per year and serves as a hub for Aegean Airlines, Ryanair, SKY Express, Olympic Air, TUI Airways, Olympic Airlines, Ellinair, and Astra Airlines.

Chíos Airport

The Chíos Airport is located on Chios Island in Greece, in the region of Kampos. It’s also called the Chios National Airport, "Omiros", or Chios Island National Airport. The airport sees 5,492 aircraft movements per year. 

Airports of arrival in the United States

John F. Kennedy International Airport 

The John F. Kennedy International Airport is an important airport for transatlantic trade. It handles over 800,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year. The airport's cargo facility boasts advanced technology and a fully automated cargo handling system. 

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport 

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport handles over 700,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year. Located in the southern USA, it functions as an important cargo hub. The airport has a dedicated cargo terminal that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport 

The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is a primary gateway to Latin America. It handles over 900,000 metric tonnes of goods per year and boasts a dedicated cargo terminal operating 24/7. Its central location makes it an ideal hub for cargo operations.